One game does not a full recovery make but at least Ricky Romero showed some positive signs Saturday in his latest start for triple-A Buffalo.

After allowing eight runs and failing to get out of the first inning in his previous start for the Bisons, Romero worked six innings against Norfolk, allowing eight hits and five earned runs without issuing a walk. In his final four innings, he threw 12 pitches or less in each of them and was able to retire nine of the last 10 batters he faced.

Earlier in the day, Romero was removed from the 40-man roster to create a spot for Ramon Ortiz, who will pitch for the Jays in place of Brandon Morrow Sunday in San Diego. It's a long fall for a pitcher who, as recently as a year ago, was considered the No. 1 pitcher on the staff.

"Everybody is scrambling for answers," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Everybody is pulling for him. He's been a good pitcher for the organization and we're hoping there's more in there. He's one of those guys you root for."

"Any time you see a guy in this business go through those kinds of ups and downs -- and his is at the extreme end -- you feel for them. I don't care what side you're on. Everybody knows what it takes to get to this level and he's had success at this level and it makes you wonder what's going on."